Official Clarifies Rules On Funding Program To Aid The Homeless

The Emergency Homeless Program created by the Carbon County Action Committee for Human Services was designed to help the homeless, not to give money to people who are behind on their rent.

Executive Director Kim Miller said at a committee meeting yesterday that some county residents have misinterpreted the program's guidelines. She said money is available only for income-eligible residents who don't have a regular and adequate home.

"It's not a rental assistance program," Miller said. "To be eligible you must be in jeopardy of not having a residence."

The program will help residents find affordable housing and pay for emergency food and clothing. In addition, it will inform the residents about agencies that provide support services such as education training and day care.

Miller said the committee has received 13 applications from residents since the program went into effect earlier this month. Assistance for eligible applicants cannot exceed more than $600 over a 60-day period.

The money should be used for rent or a security deposit needed to secure fixed, adequate housing, Miller said.

"This is only for the financially needy," Miller said. "Eligible residents assume the responsibility of finding a new place of residence and they must prove it's affordable."

The Action Committee will apply for a $20,000 grant that is available for the first time for community service agencies. The committee will also appoint a group that will oversee the Emergency Homeless Program.

For more information on the program or to set up an appointment to determine eligibility, call the committee at (717) 325-3677 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In other business, Miller said additional funding is available from the state's School Age Child Care Program. The committee will apply for a $5,000 grant that would be used to fund a proposed child-care program at L.B. Morris Elementary School in Jim Thorpe for children ages 6 through 13.

According to Miller, a room would be set aside at L.B. Morris for child care from 6 a.m. until the beginning of school and from the end of the school until 6 p.m. A fee schedule would be set based on income, Miller said.

The children would be supervised by teachers and volunteers. Because the program would be experimental, Miller said it would only be available to students in the Jim Thorpe Area School District.

Miller said she would get together with elementary school principalVirginia Smith to work out the details of the program.